The main problems lie in the lack of modern equipment, including linear accelerators, as well as a shortage of medical personnel and vital medications. This leads to a deterioration in the health of patients and an increase in mortality from oncological diseases, which also creates serious socio-economic difficulties for their families, as many are forced to seek treatment in private clinics.
At the National Oncology Center, there are queues for radiation therapy, where patients may wait for treatment from one to two weeks. In August 2025, 34 patients were waiting to start radiation therapy, as two out of three machines were out of order, and treatment was only being conducted on outdated equipment.
Medical professionals warn that delays in providing medical care can negatively affect patients' health and even threaten their lives. Linear accelerators are only available in Bishkek, forcing patients from the regions to travel to the capital for treatment.
Even if all machines are operational, ensuring timely treatment for all those in need is extremely difficult. According to the National Oncology Center, over the past five years, only 25.6% of patients with newly diagnosed cancer have received radiation therapy. According to international standards, there should be one linear accelerator for every 300,000 people, which means that Kyrgyzstan, with a population of 7 million, requires at least 20 machines.
During monitoring, there were 325 patients in the center, while there are 35,163 cancer patients registered in the country. The problem is exacerbated by a shortage of special fixation devices necessary for precise treatment on linear accelerators, making the procedure less effective and safe.
It should be noted that the radiation therapy department lacked thermoplastic masks, and the other necessary supplies were worn out and deformed. Moreover, the children's department is unable to conduct full procedures due to the absence of pediatric thermomasks.
The monitoring revealed that the diagnosis of oncological diseases in the country is hampered by outdated equipment and limited technical capabilities. The Center had only one ultrasound machine and one old mammogram, while the absence of angiographs and modern endoscopic systems worsens the situation.
Funding for the oncology service does not meet real needs. From 2018 to 2024, about 3 million soms were allocated annually for these purposes. In 2024, the amount increased to 176 million soms, and in 2025 to 800 million, while a full-fledged operation of the service would require 4.5 billion soms, which is five times more than the current funding.
Additionally, cancer patients do not receive the necessary medications, as the hospital lacked 80 essential drug names. The problem is related to delays in supplies and insufficient purchases from "Kyrgyzpharmacy." Patients report that they are forced to search for and buy medications on their own.
The current situation infringes on citizens' rights to access necessary and quality medical services. To fully supply the oncology service with medications, at least 2.5 billion soms will be required.
Urgent measures are needed to address these issues, revise procurement procedures, and increase funding for the oncology service. Furthermore, the National Oncology Center urgently needs new buildings, as the inpatient department is overcrowded, with two patients per bed, and some patients receive infusions while sitting in chairs.
Regional oncology departments also cannot fully provide for patients. For example, in Osh, there are only 15 beds, in Jalal-Abad and Tokmok, they only accept patients with mild forms of diseases, and there is not a single oncologist in Naryn region.
Problems are also observed in the children's oncology department of the National Center for Oncology and Medical Diagnostics. At the end of August 2025, about 60 children were being treated there, and in recent years, the number of new cases of cancer among children has significantly increased—from 70 in 2014 to over 200 in 2023. The most common diagnoses are acute lymphoblastic leukemia, brain tumors, neuroblastomas, and nephroblastomas. However, the increase in incidence is also associated with improved diagnostics.
There is also a noticeable increase in cases of refusal of treatment. According to doctors, many parents do not trust medicine and are forced to turn to folk healers. One case involved a child with leukemia, who, after remission, was switched to alternative treatment methods, and a year later, the disease progressed, and the child died.
Based on the monitoring results, Jamila Jamambaeva sent recommendations to the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health, and the State Enterprise "Kyrgyzpharmacy" to address the identified issues. She also proposed developing a new strategy for monitoring and preventing oncological diseases, as well as a comprehensive plan to combat them for 2025-2030.
The Ombudsman emphasizes the importance of work on treatment refusals, as well as the need for social and psychological support for families of cancer patients. She also suggests ensuring funding for the maintenance of equipment and revising the procurement conditions for medications for patients.
